Trees downed in gale force winds and torrential rains during one of the strongest typhoons to hit Hong Kong in the past decade.<br/> <br />Typhoon Vicente grounded flights, shut down port operations in the city and disrupted business across the financial hub.<br/> <br />Hong Kong's stock market was temporarily closed due to the storm.<br/> <br />The winds churned up huge waves in Victoria Harbour and sent debris flying, injuring some 30 people, as Vicente slammed into the city.<br/> <br />Earlier on Monday afternoon, the brewing cyclone had sent office workers home amid torrential rain, with many rushing to board buses, trains and ferries before a partial transport network shutdown.<br/> <br />The storm swept much closer to Hong Kong than authorities initially believed.<br/> <br />Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
